Thinking Skills

Our next Approach to Learning in focus is Thinking. DIA develops creative and critical thinkers who can make connections and reflect on their learning.

This focus is embedded in our inquiry-based teaching approach, where teachers use questions to guide and encourage students to develop questions of their own as active learners.  We incorporate Visible Thinking Routines developed by Project Zero (https://pz.harvard.edu/thinking-routines) to help learners break down ideas and express their thoughts. Even our youngest students engage in activities like "I see, I think, I wonder" and "Think, Pair, Share." They are consistently encouraged to articulate their reasoning by asking, "What makes you say that?"

Our learners engage in discussions that enhance their critical thinking skills as they identify patterns or similarities and differences. As creative thinkers, they are involved in problem-solving and encouraged to think of new ideas and solutions to challenges/problems faced. Right from Kindergarten, learners are guided to develop their own understandings by making connections between the concepts they have learnt. Students are also encouraged to use their skills and knowledge in different situations, making connections between subjects and in real life. A simple example: Regular and purposeful reflection is an integral part of our vision of High-Quality Learning and is woven into our daily practices. Students will reflect continuously during their class activities and we have a designated time at the end of the day for theclass to reflect on their learning in different ways.